Redemption of a Fallen Woman. Joanna Fulford
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virginal white would be inappropriate now.’ Elena glanced at the clock and sighed. ‘I wish I didn’t have to go down there. The thought of another meal in that company has no appeal whatever.’
‘I know. All the same, it will be better if you do.’
‘Lull them into a sense of false security, you mean?’
‘If you appear to be following domestic protocols they are less likely to suspect anything. Then, when you have conceived your plan, they will be taken by surprise.’
Elena thought she could probably manage the protocols part, but the plan was another matter. In spite of racking her brains for a solution she had still not come up with anything feasible.
‘I’d better go. Wish me luck.’
‘Always,’ said Concha.
Elena squeezed her arm gently and smiled. Then, taking a deep breath, she headed for the door.
Chapter Two
When Harry arrived in the salón just before the appointed hour, it was to find Don Manuel already present. With him were four others. The two gentlemen, both with greying hair, appeared to be in their late forties. Both were of short stature and tending to corpulence. The two ladies looked older and both were expensively if severely gowned in black. If either ever had pretensions to beauty it was no longer evident. Nor was this deficiency ameliorated by their haughty and unsmiling demeanour. Don Manuel introduced them as his sisters, Doña Inéz and Doña Urraca. The gentlemen, Don Fernando and Don Esteban, were cousins.
As the introductions were performed Harry made a formal bow. Doña Inéz inclined her head in acknowledgement and offered a faint condescending smile that stopped well short of her dark eyes.
‘You honour us with your presence, Lord Henry. I trust that your journey here was satisfactory.’
‘Thank you, yes.’
‘I do not care to travel myself,’ she replied. ‘It is too fatiguing and the state of the roads leaves much to be desired.’
He agreed that they did. Thus encouraged, Doña Inéz went on to cover the hazards of ruts, dust, brigands and heatstroke. She was just embarking on a comprehensive condemnation of all the inns she had ever stayed in, when the salón door opened again. Harry glanced round and then, as he set eyes on the newcomer, all other thoughts went out of his head.
Elena paused on the threshold, hoping that her composure wouldn’t desert her now. Concha was right; it was important to play along for a while. Her gaze swept the room in distaste. With their dark clothing her relatives reminded her of nothing so much as a gathering of crows around their prey. They had shown about the same amount of compassion too. Then she noticed the tall figure standing beside Aunt Inéz. The man had his back to her but, as the conversation died down around him, he glanced round to find the reason.
Elena caught her breath, recognising him at once. However, that former fleeting glance through the window hadn’t done him justice; to begin with he made all the other men in the room look short, even her uncle. The lean, broad-shouldered frame suggested both strength and energy and was shown off to advantage by formal evening dress. It was severe, almost austere, and a perfect complement for his dark hair. The face, which she had formerly thought arresting, was rather more than that, like the cool grey eyes that were now surveying her steadily. The effect was to create an odd fluttering sensation in the pit of her stomach.
The silence intensified. Then her uncle stepped forward. ‘Lord Henry, may I present my niece Elena?’
Harry stared, taking in the slender and willowy figure in the deep red gown. Ebony hair framed a face whose sculptural beauty was accentuated by a complexion that reminded him of ivory and roses. Her brown eyes were flecked with purest amber and, just then, expressive of some strong emotion that resisted precise identification. Curiosity stirred. Then, recollecting his manners, he made his bow.
She returned a graceful curtsey. ‘I’m delighted to meet you, my lord.’
‘The pleasure is mine,’ he replied, with perfect sincerity.
‘May I ask what brings you to Madrid?’
He summarised his mission briefly. ‘Your uncle has kindly offered his assistance.’
‘Then I hope his enquiries will be successful.’
‘Thank you, although after all this time I dare not hold out great hope.’
‘Even a little hope is better than none,’ she replied.
‘You are right, of course.’ He smiled wryly. ‘But enough about business for now. Tell me something of yourself. For instance, do you reside here with your uncle or are you just visiting?’
Before she could reply, Doña Inéz interposed. ‘My niece is visiting for a short while only.’
Beneath the irritation caused by that unwarranted interruption, he was conscious of a stab of something much like disappointment. ‘What a pity.’
‘It is a necessary deprivation for us all,’ said Doña Inéz, ‘since, in a few days’ time, she is to enter a convent and commence her novitiate.’
Elena made no reply, although her dark eyes revealed a brief flash of anger, then were swiftly veiled.
Harry was dumbfounded. The very idea that such a lovely young woman should become a nun seemed absurd—more than absurd, a criminal waste. Then he reflected that customs were different here, and that if she had such a vocation she should be entitled to follow it. Besides, it was none of his business.
‘In that case,’ he replied, ‘I wish you well on your chosen path.’
Elena looked up and again he caught that flash of anger in her eyes. However, her face remained otherwise impassive.
‘Thank you. That is most kind.’
The smooth tone held an inflection that was much like irony, and in spite of himself his curiosity mounted. He would have liked to pursue it, but not in Doña Inéz’s company. Unfortunately she showed no sign of moving away. The woman was acting like a strict dueña, almost as though she were mounting guard over her niece, though goodness only knew what she thought might happen in a room full of people.
Just then dinner was announced and Don Manuel suggested he might like to take Doña Inéz in. Good manners dictated gracious acquiescence. To his chagrin he found himself seated next to the lady at table as well. Elena took her place opposite, beside Don Fernando.
The conversation at table ranged over various topics, all of them innocuous. Everyone was perfectly civil and nothing could have been more refined than their manners, but Harry became aware of something rather different underneath, an undercurrent of tension that he couldn’t pin down. He reminded himself again that it was none of his business, that he had come here to obtain proof of Jamie’s death. Interference in family politics was no part of his plan.
After the meal, when the ladies had withdrawn, and the gentlemen had settled down to their port and cigars, the conversation turned to other matters. Harry listened politely, though in truth his mind was preoccupied with his quest rather than the current political situation. It was only the mention of Elena’s name that drew his attention squarely back to the company.
‘… and so, after we have seen her safely admitted to the convent, I must return to my estates,’ said Don Fernando. ‘There are matters requiring my attention.’
Their host nodded. ‘Of course. It was good of you to take the time to come at all.’
‘I felt it to be my duty.’
‘A duty we all share,’ said Don Esteban. ‘The restoration of our family honour is dear to us all. A life of reflection and piety will atone for sin.’
Harry’s glass paused in mid-air and he shot a quizzical glance at the speaker.